Rhode Island

Closing costs in Rhode Island: what buyers and sellers pay

Rhode Island's conveyance tax is $3,000 on a $400,000 sale, and recording a warranty deed costs $80. Line-by-line costs for buyers and sellers.

Checked on against the official sources listed at the bottom of the page.

In short

No official source gives a “typical” Rhode Island closing-cost percentage, so add it up line by line. The state fixes two lines. The conveyance tax is $3.75 per $500 of price, $3,000 on a $400,000 sale, paid by the seller unless the contract says otherwise (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-25-1). Recording a warranty deed costs $80 and a mortgage $60 (§ 34-13-7).

Which costs does the state fix?

Rhode Island sets by statute the conveyance tax and the recording fees. The other costs are set by private companies or negotiated: lender charges, title insurance, attorney fees, inspections, a survey, and brokerage compensation. The state’s statutes I read do not set a title insurance premium schedule, so those prices come from the provider’s quote.

Your lender must give you a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application, and you must receive the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). Compare lenders on the Loan Estimate. For a plain-language tour of each line, see closing costs explained.

Line by line

Conveyance tax. $3.75 for each $500 of the price or part of it. Residential property above $800,000 owes a second $3.75 per $500 on the excess; the statute adjusts that threshold for inflation starting in 2026. The seller pays unless the parties agree otherwise. Details are in our Rhode Island transfer tax guide.

Recording fees. Rhode Island does not record by county. You record in the city or town where the property sits (City of Providence Recorder of Deeds). Statewide fees under § 34-13-7:

InstrumentFee
Warranty deed or quitclaim deed$80
Mortgage$60
Discharge of mortgage$45
Assignment of mortgage or partial release$45
Each additional page or fraction over$1

The statute does not say who pays them, so the purchase contract and the closing attorney or title company decide.

Municipal lien certificate. The Providence City Collector’s Office provides municipal lien certificates for real estate closings. Ask the closing agent whether one is ordered and what the city charges.

Property tax proration. Providence taxes are billed in June and paid in four quarterly installments (City Collector). At closing, the tax bill is usually divided between buyer and seller; the contract sets the date. See Rhode Island property tax.

Lender, title, attorney and other costs. Origination, appraisal, credit report and underwriting fees come from your lender. An owner’s title policy, a lender’s title policy, attorney fees, inspections and a survey are priced by each provider; see title insurance explained, home inspection cost and what a land survey costs. Brokerage compensation is negotiated; see real estate commission.

What it costs: a worked example in Providence

This is an example, not a quote. Assume a $400,000 sale and a $320,000 loan. Only the lines fixed by statute are calculated.

LineRule usedAmount
Conveyance tax (normally seller)800 blocks of $500 × $3.75$3,000
Recording the deed§ 34-13-7: warranty deed$80, plus $1 per additional page
Recording the mortgage§ 34-13-7$60, plus $1 per additional page
Recording the seller’s mortgage discharge§ 34-13-7$45
Lender charges, title insurance, attorney, inspection, surveySet by each providerSee your Loan Estimate and quotes
Tax prorationDepends on the bill and closing dateSee your Closing Disclosure

On a $300,000 sale the tax is $2,250.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays the transfer tax in Rhode Island?

The seller, unless the buyer and seller agree otherwise (§ 44-25-1(a)).

How much does it cost to record a deed in Rhode Island?

$80 for a warranty or quitclaim deed, plus $1 for each additional page (§ 34-13-7). A mortgage is $60.

Can I record a deed in any county?

No. Rhode Island records in the city or town where the property is located (City of Providence Recorder of Deeds).

Does the state set title insurance prices?

The statutes I read for this article do not set a premium schedule. Ask each provider for a quote.

When will I know my exact closing costs?

You get a Loan Estimate within three business days of applying and the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing (CFPB).

Compare with the other states: Closing costs by state.

More Rhode Island guides

Sources

Rhode Island · All states · Federal guides